Project House Update

The project house has seen some attention this fall. If you recall from my Fall 2010 posts, the old house is basically a 1840's Craftsman Bungalow. To more accurately trace the roots of the old house, we have to start with what we know. In the 1840's the Alexander family moved to Oak Hill, and presumably took up residence in a home on the same lot. The core of the current house has a post and beam structure that measures 19'x24'. The joinery and construction methods surely trace back a long way. In the 1910's and 20's, Henry Bradford, a resident of Auburn, Maine bought the place and apparently undertook some substantial revisions. The little house was transformed into a 30'x30' Bungalow, with an ell. I would guess that in the 1920's, this house would have stood out as being particullarly modern and stylish. These features are what hooked me on the old place right away. It surely wasn't the wiring, plumbing, foundation or insulation that caught my eye. But then again I can fix all those things. Ugly goes to the bone, and many modern houses, while being practical, lack any style. As we have picked away over the past three years, I have focused on cutting out the rot and ripping out the old. Just this fall I finally attacked the foundation. First I dug out the old crumbling stone bulkhead. The bulkhead was the lowest point in the backyard and was great at collecting rain water and sending it into the basement.

After I dug to bedrock, which was close by, I poured new concrete footers, pinned to the ledge, and laid a new cement block bulkhead. After installing a new perimeter drain and waterproofing, the whole family helped regrade the backyard to shed water away from the house. Just days later the frost set in with force. With some new basement supports in place, I hope to get a start on replacing floor stringers in a few months. I have now removed the plumbing and wiring in the main house. It feels so good to know that the old place will keep it's heart, but will have new arteries and veins. Some folks have presumed that with this idea of fixing and flipping, we stand to make some good money. Actually I think the "fixing" in that scenario usually requires that you know how to remove wallpaper and install new receptacle covers. This place is requiring a "total rip", but the result will hopefully be a modern home with historic flare. I'm sure of one thing, the Surveyor, Farmer, Hunter, Father has become a backhoe operator, a mason and will become a Plumber, Electrician and Carpenter before this is over. As for making money, that isn't even the point.

Winter Fun on Juniper Hill Farm

The December snow, Christmas Ice Storm and frigid January temperatures are adding together to make a real old-fashioned winter here in Maine.In spite of the cold, we are having lots of fun here on Juniper Hill Farm.

On this January morning the temperature was -10°F as we went for a winter hike. Many times I have read historic accounts of the winter weather and I've felt as if we are missing out on the good stuff. When the first Wheeler's spent the winter of 1762-73, here in Bowdoin, I'm sure they had it tough. They likely had a simple shelter, probably with a dirt floor, leaking roof and barely any heat. We have it really good. The house is warm, most of the time, the roof doesn't leak, and there is only a little dirt on the floor when we don't vacuum.

Cold weather is bearing down here on the farm. The wood pile is shrinking fast, but the house is warm and welcoming even with lows at -12F this morning. I'll get some more wood ready in case we run short in late winter. The recent Christmas Ice Storm left us without power for 60 hours, but we had a great Christmas anyway. If you felt helpless, use the next few months to prepare for next winter. A wood stove backup or a generator can create a true sense of security. Oil heat has made so many people lazy. Lots of people don´t like the bugs or dirt, but how does cold feel when Old Man Winter knocks down the power lines? I'd say that most families could use a wood stove if they wanted one. For some, I would suggest burning some of their junk to keep warm. Move a few things, cut in a flue pipe and get burning. Wood is everywhere, you just need to ask and put in some sweat equity to put the wood away for later. Wringing your hands and acting helpless just doesn't keep you warm enough when the temps drop to 0F. PREPARE YOURSELF!